What would be the max I could lower the grade around the trunk of an East TX pine without damaging the tree? Only need to lower a

Question

bout 9-12″. Tree has had a flower bed built up around it over the last 20 years with mulch and now beds are being removed.

Answer 1

I would only do this an inch or two at a time, so that the roots can have time to acclimate to the air. As long as this is allowed to happen over time, I don't think that there will be an issue. The roots of pines can handle exposure to the air usually, but since this has been under mulch, I would recommend air exposure a little more slowly.